Bottled Beverage Plug for Identification

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses a reusable bottle stopper and identifier comprising a main body with which fits over the opening of long neck bottle and a sleeve member which fits in the opening of a long neck bottle. The stopper has a pressure release channel that allows pressure to leave the bottle. The stopper also has an area on the outer portion of said main body where an identification means can be placed. This identification method will specify the owner of the drink. This will be especially helpful at crowed bars or social gatherings where drinks are often intermingled. The quick and easy identification of the bottle&#39;s owner will help to eliminate confusion or even arguments. This system will also have the added benefit of preventing the spread of germs and disease that can occur when people share drinks. Additionally, the invention will prevent spills because the stopper acts to create a seal and cover the bottle opening.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed towards bottle stopper. More specifically it discloses a bottle stopper with a pressure release hole which can also be used to identify the owner of the bottle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The practice of enjoying pre-packaged carbonated beverages is an abundantly common choice for those seeking to quench their thirst. Beverages like soda and beer are often served in long neck bottles. These drink, especially beer bottles, are usually consumed in crowded areas. These may include social gatherings or at restaurant or bars. Two common problems with such carbonated drinks once a bottle has been opened are the loss of carbonation and the confusion over the owner of the bottle.

As drinks such as soda and beer lose their carbonation they become “flat” and become less desirable. There have been many inventions directing towards plugging opened bottles to preserve carbonation. Most of these have been directed towards wine bottles and not designed for beer bottles to be used in a bar or restaurant setting. These include U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,915,920, 5,857,580, 6,528,152, 6,212,721, 5,117,995, 6,769,560, 3,944,104, 3,716,163 and 6,796,449. These patents are directed towards wine stoppers and lack the ability to distinctly identify the owner of the bottle.

Other products have been directed towards bottle stoppers with self venting closures. One such invention is U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,142. Unlike the present invention, this device is not designed to fit standard beer bottles and identify the owner of the bottle.

There have also been a number of products directed towards beverage identification methods. These include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,704,144, 4,759,139 and D501,625. None of these also provide the ability to plug the whole of a bottle or prevent the loss of carbonation.

Clearly there is a need for a bottle stopper that is designed to fit in standard beer bottles, preserves the carbonation of the beverage in the bottle, and provides a means to identify the owner of the bottle. Accordingly, the present invention described herein encompasses these elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a stopper for beverage bottles. In the preferred embodiment the stopper will be designed to fit standard size bottle neck beer bottles. The stopper consists of a top member and rubber sleeve member. The rubber sleeve member will fit in most standard beer bottles. The rubber sleeve member is constructed to accept the top member to create a seal and prevent the drink from losing carbonation.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a top member that can be used to identify the owner of the beer. The top member is designed to have a space where an identification sticker or label can be placed. This identification method will specify the owner of the drink. This will be especially helpful at crowed bars or social gatherings where drinks are often intermingled. This system will also have the added benefit of preventing the spread of germs and disease that can occur when people share drinks. Additionally, the invention will prevent spills because the stopper acts to create a seal and cover the bottle opening.

The identification space can be also be used for advertising or marketing purposes. For instance, emblems from popular sports teams or movie characters can be used as identification means. In addition manufactures such as beer makers may use their own logos and distribute the toppers as promotional pieces.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a needle size pressure release hole. When the stopper is in place pressure will begin to build in the bottle from the carbonation that the stopper is being prevented from release. To prevent the beverage from spilling out of the bottle when the stopper is removed, a needle size pressure release hole has been built in the design of the stopper. There is a channel that travels the length of the sleeve member and top member. A needle size pressure release hole then allows a small amount of pressure to be released from the top member. This will preserve a majority of the carbonation in the bottle and prevent any spillage when the stopper is removed. In an alternative embodiment, a plastic pressure release cap is built into the top of the head of the device, to release pressure before removing the plug.

In various exemplary embodiments, the top member of the stopper can be formed into various molded shapes. These include an alien head, a skull, an eight ball, the head of a bulldog, a horse head, or the handle of a sword or dagger. The device can also be manufactured in a variety of colors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the invention from FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates the invention if FIG. 1 in use for identification purposes.

FIG. 4 illustrates the present invention in use with a standard size beer bottle.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention with a pressure release cap.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the current invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different formulations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the compositions or formulations of the present invention are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but are merely representative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention.

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The bottle stopper and identifier 10 is comprised of main body member 11 and sleeve member 15. The sleeve member 15 is constructed of rubber in the preferred embodiment and fits into the opening of a standard size beer bottle. The sleeve member 15 has a grooved opening 16 which accepts the middle portion 14 of the main body member 11. The main body member 11 fits over a standard long neck beer bottle. When inserted in a bottle, the grooved bottom 17 fit around the bottle opening. When the grooved middle portion 14 is inserted in sleeve member 15 the bottle is resealed.

Still referring to FIG. 1, pressure release channel 13 can be seen. The pressure release channel 13 runs through the main body member 11. When the bottle stopper and identifier 10 is in place in a bottle, the pressure release channel allows carbonation to travel from the bottle and out of the main body member 11. This prevent spills when the main body member 11 is removed from a bottle. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the pressure release channel narrows to needle sized opening 18. This narrow opening only allows a nominal amount of pressure to be released from the bottle. This preserves the carbonation of the beverage in the bottle while preventing any spillage when the main body member 11 is removed. FIG. 2 shows a top view of the main body member 11 with needle size opening 18.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention which includes a pressure release button 19. The pressure release button 19 will prevent any carbonation from leaving the bottle and preserve the freshness of the beverage. When the button is depressed, the carbonation from the bottle will be released via the pressure release channel 13. This will allow the bottle stopper 10 to be removed without any spillage.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the identification means of the bottle stopper 10 will be described. As best seen in FIG. 3, there is an identification space 12 located on the main body member 11. A label or sticker can be placed on the identification space 12 that will specify the owner of the beverage. Conceivably, any picture, logo, or mark could be used to distinguish the bottle stopper 10 to identify the owner of the bottle. FIG. 4 shows the stopper 10 in use and in place on a beer bottle 20

FIGS. 5-7 show alternative embodiments of the stopper 10 where the main body member 11 is formed in various ornamental designs. FIG. 5 shows the main body member 11 in the shape of a billiard ball 21. FIG. 6 shows the main body member 11 in the shape of a skull 22. FIG. 7 shows the main body member 11 in the shape of a sword or dagger handle 23. It is understood that main body member 11 could be formed into various ornamental designs.

It is also appreciated that additional advantages, modifications and equivalent embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details and representative devices, shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A reusable bottle stopper and identifier comprising: a main body with which fits over the opening of long neck bottle; a sleeve member which fits in the opening of a long neck bottle; said main body having a grooved middle portion and said sleeve member having a grooved opening, said grooved middle portion capable of fitting into said grooved opening to form a seal; a pressure release channel that allows pressure to leave the bottle through the top of said main body, said pressure release channel traveling through said top member and said grooved middle portion of said top; and an area on the outer portion of said main body where an identification means can be placed
 2. The reusable bottle stopper and identifier of claim 1 wherein said pressure release channel narrows to a needle size opening, said needle size opening being located in said top member.
 3. The reusable bottle stopper and identifier of claim 1 wherein said pressure release channel is closed with a pressure release button, said button being capable of being depressed to release the pressure from the bottle.
 4. The reusable bottle stopper and identifier of claim 1 wherein said sleeve member is made from a flexible rubber material.
 5. The reusable bottle stopper and identifier of claim 1 wherein sleeve member is designed to fit into most standard longneck beer bottles.
 6. The reusable bottle stopper and identifier of claim 1 wherein said identification means is a label or sticker.
 7. The reusable bottle stopper and identifier of claim 1 wherein said identification means is a logo which can be used for advertising or marketing purposes.
 8. The reusable bottle stopper and identifier of claim 1 wherein said top member is formed in the shape of a billiard ball.
 9. The reusable bottle stopper and identifier of claim 1 wherein said top member is formed in the shape of a sword or dagger handle.
 10. The reusable bottle stopper and identifier of claim 1 wherein said top member is formed in the shape of an alien or skull head.
 11. The reusable bottle stopper and identifier of claim 1 wherein said top member is formed in the shape of a chess piece.
 12. The reusable bottle stopper and identifier of claim 1 wherein said top member is formed various ornamental shapes. 